Nisa Lynn Ojalvo
An interview
with Nisa Lynn Ojalvo
about her multiple:
'Annwn / Otherworld’
Where did you make these multiples?
I made this set of multiples in Wales, while on an artist residency in 2018 in a former mining village in the mountains of Snowdonia.
Any interesting or funny stories in the development of these multiples?
I was fascinated by the imposing forest surrounding the former mining village in Snowdonia where I was artist-in-residence during the early Fall of 2018. Most mornings the fog would roll in from behind the hill and shroud the landscape in an otherworldly haze. When I learned of the mythology surrounding Annwn, or "otherworld" in the Welsh language, I was drawn into a tale of battles, swapped identity, feasts and abundance. The draw of Annwn was particularly appealing in the midst of the global pandemic we are now facing, and provides an escape into a better dreamlike time.
Tell me about your experience with Unus Multorum and/or Plas Bodfa as it relates to your multiples.
Situated in Wales not far from the mountains of Snowdonia, Plas Bodfa seemed like the perfect setting to house this particular dreamlike image of the misted Welsh forest.
You choose to make a certain number of Objects in your edition. Why this number?
The multiple Annwn is a small, delicate, nearly monochromatic moody object and the the clean, round number of 100 seems appropriate for this mystical forest-scape.
Where do you imagine these multiples to end up?
In the homes of folks from all over, who seek an escape from our present-day. Hanging in an alcove or entryway, or in a child's bedroom, or study, this would make the perfect space to contemplate escape into a dreamlike world.
Tell me more about the materials used in your multiple.
Why did you choose this material? What do you like about it?
I am a photographer, so naturally I was drawn to presenting a photographic image. The print is rendered nearly monochrome, on archival cotton rag paper to enhance the softness and dreamlike quality of the scene, which is based in Welsh mythology of an alternate world, free from want or disease. The image offers an escape from today.
Why do you make things (in general)?
I have been making photographs since the age of 13 when I received my first camera as a present from my parents. I have a strong portraiture practice and have studied at the International Center of Photography in NYC with many well-known published portraitists. My specialty area is performance art and over the past 2 decades I have created one of the largest performance art archives of contemporary performance art in existence.
Any other information or stories you'd like to include?
Nisa Lynn Ojalvo is a fine art photographer from New York City, who has exhibited in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the US. Her images have been published in Art Asia Pacific, The New York Times, Boston Globe, KunstForum, and ExBerliner. Her work resides in several private collections and in museums, including the ICA Boston and Tate Modern archives. Nisa co-founded the performance art collective kelly|marhaug|ojalvo and has been awarded two artist residencies in Wales.